We caught up with the brilliant and insightful April Manigault a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi April, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
I get my work ethic from becoming a mother. I always knew from the moment I found out I was becoming a mom that I had to work hard no matter what to make sure that my child had what she needed in life to become successful. That drive sort of multiplied over the years as I had two more children and eventually became a single mom. I knew that I didn’t want my children to weather any storm that I was going through, So I knew I had to work hard, I was they sole provider for so long and I couldn’t allow them to miss any of life’s opportunities.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a mother of three, I have two daughters and a son. I recently became a grandmother and I just celebrated my 7th year of marriage. I was formally a school bus driver of 14 years. One day while riding in the car having a conversation with my son he asked me what my gift was. I had no answer but it stayed on my mind, after giving it some thought I realized the thing I liked to do was decorate my kids birthday parties. I began researching how to start a business in that field. I started off offering custom party favors, backdrops and shirts. That turned into me wanting to do full parties at the time teepee sleep overs was a big thing. I did a few of them and family members started asking me to do birthday parties from there I started doing baby showers and quickly found that it was my passion. I love doing baby showers I often build bonds with the moms. I get to play such a role in such a special moment of honoring the life they are bringing into the world. Our venue Lullaby Studios the 1st and only baby shower venue in the SC area. There are many wedding and event venues but none that cater to baby showers and we are the 1st to offer that service as it’s truly our passion.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I think the three areas that have allowed to to excel the way I have over time has been my drive, I constantly invest in classes to better myself. I am a Behind the veil alumni. My love for all things elegant and my attention to detail really takes my events to a new level. I want the moms to feel so special on that day, so I pay attention to the details of what they want. I also feel like my ability to provide great customer service is the biggest factor, it’s much easier to articulate your desires to someone you feel listens to your needs, your worries, is patient with you and makes you feel comfortable.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
I grew up in a single parent home and I think the most impactful thing my mother did for me was allow me to live, allow me to make and fix my own mistakes, while letting me know she believes in me and is proud of me. My mother is one of my biggest supporters.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cceventsandrentals.com
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